Conjunctive processing of locomotor signals by the ventral tegmental area neuronal population |
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Authors: | Wang Dong V Tsien Joe Z |
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Institution: | Key Laboratory of MOE and STCSM, Shanghai Institute of Brain Functional Genomics, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China. |
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Abstract: | The ventral tegmental area (VTA) plays an essential role in reward and motivation. How the dopamine (DA) and non-DA neurons in the VTA engage in motivation-based locomotor behaviors is not well understood. We recorded activity of putative DA and non-DA neurons simultaneously in the VTA of awake mice engaged in motivated voluntary movements such as wheel running. Our results revealed that VTA non-DA neurons exhibited significant rhythmic activity that was correlated with the animal's running rhythms. Activity of putative DA neurons also correlated with the movement behavior, but to a lesser degree. More importantly, putative DA neurons exhibited significant burst activation at both onset and offset of voluntary movements. These findings suggest that VTA DA and non-DA neurons conjunctively process locomotor-related motivational signals that are associated with movement initiation, maintenance and termination. |
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